Board Meeting Summary from May 2, 2017

Four board members attended and David Stark sent his regrets. The usual staff were present. Lauren Loos, the clinical director from Portland, Oregon gave the Mission Moment. She spoke of her path into Windhorse and her love of horses. Her work with therapy horses holds some of the same tenants as Basic Attendance.

Lisa and Victoria reported two board member candidates, as this was Spirit Joseph’s last meeting. He has been on the Board for four years. He will be missed for his great help, attention to detail, compassion, calm presence, support, expertise (as Treasurer), and his difficult and perfect questions.

The February finance committee minutes were reviewed and accepted as submitted. The March financials were reviewed. It was a three-payroll month (this happens twice a year) and each site had a loss, but were still positive year to date. April won’t look as good. The Board discussed how to identify a “trend” before we are needing the support of the buffer.

Each site checked in and answered questions regarding the written reports. Lisa and Ken spoke about a “soft” metric they were trying out via the director’s reports. Ken wants to add the staff to income ratio metric on Annie’s monthly financial report to the current census and confidence level metric on the director reports. We decided to have the current month actual (by the meeting, before the financials are ready) compared to the next two months projections and confidence levels re: the projections.

The next Finance Committee meeting is May 30th at 9 am PT/ noon ET.
The next combined Finance/Board meeting is July 25th at 9 am PT/ noon ET.

Written by Victoria Yoshen, Executive Director of Windhorse IMH Northampton.

A Search for Inspirational Books

In our next issue we would like to highlight book recommendations from the community. Have you read a book that you found particularly inspiring? Do you have a favorite book, be it fiction, non-fiction, a young adult novel, a children’s book, or something else? If so, we would love to hear about it. Feel free to tell us about your recommendation in the comments section below, or email us at info@windhorseimh.org.

Co-Facilitator Needed for Community Council

Once every three to four months Windhorse offers an opportunity for the community to gather together and participate in a Community Council. Council is a welcoming, inclusive space where we enjoy speaking and listening from the heart. We are planning to hold a council on June 23rd. If you are interested in co-facilitating the council, please email Victoria at vyoshen@windhorseimh.org. There is no experience required. If you are interested in getting involved but do not wish to help lead the council, there is also the opportunity to create the Beauty Way, a centerpiece around which we all sit that often represents elements such as earth, wind, and water.

We will announce the June Community Council via email once all of the details have been finalized. We hope you will consider joining us for this event.

It’s Asparagus Season!

This delicious vegetable is in season during the months of May and June, and we locals go nuts for it. Also known as “Hadley Grass,” asparagus grown in this area is reported to be some of the best in the country, if not the world, thanks to the particular soil composition here. In the past, even British royalty have been known to eat asparagus harvested in the Pioneer Valley. This time of year it’s a common sight to see asparagus for sale by the side of the road, at farmers’ markets and farm stands, and in local grocery stores. If you haven’t tried asparagus from the Valley, we highly recommend that you seize the day and give it a go. We’re confident that you won’t regret it. If you need a little inspiration, try out the recipe below.

And also be sure to check out the local Asparagus Festival, taking place on Saturday, June 3rd on the Hadley Town Common. The event features food, local businesses, live music, craft beer, and even asparagus ice cream (don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it, as it’s pretty tasty). Click here for more information.
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Things To Do: Local Farmers’ Markets

The Pioneer Valley is rich with all sorts of farms and, as a result, we are blessed with many farmers’ markets during the spring, summer, and fall seasons (and a few even in winter). Here’s a list of some of the markets that happen in Northampton and nearby towns. And be sure to check out https://www.buylocalfood.org/ for even more information.

New to the Windhorse Library

Training in Compassion: Zen Teachings on the Practice of Lojong by Norman Fischer

“Norman Fischer brings a fresh perspective to the profound Tibetan Buddhist manual of lojong, or mental training. With down-to-earth clarity, he applies its 59 pithy practices to the challenges of modern life. With repetition, these practices gradually change one from the inside out. His writing is direct, penetrating, and powerful, with the authenticity and impact that comes from a great teacher, as he shows readers how to develop resilience and compassion, strength with heart.” – Rick Hanson, PhD, author of Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom

“Norman Fischer has illuminated Atisha’s lojong slogans with the depth of his own Zen koan practice, infused with his savvy, no-nonsense heart. The result is stunning–a fresh slant on Tibetan compassion teachings, making them universal and now.” – Acharya Judith Simmer-Brown, Naropa University, author of Dakini’s Warm Breath: The Feminine Principle in Tibetan Buddhism

Songs of Three Islands: A Story of Mental Illness in an Iconic American Family by Millicent Monks

“Millicent Monks has given us a powerful story about a privileged family whose wealth fails to protect them from the ordeal of mental illness, and how, through meditation, therapy, and the classics of spiritual quest, she achieves a kind of peace.” – Deepak Chopra, author of The Ultimate Happiness Prescription

“A searing, lyrical, profound look into the life and journey of a remarkable woman. It left me full and moved, with images in my head that will be there forever.” – Glenn Close